Three-Clawed Interlocking Building Block with Hexagonal Spatial Lock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building blocks and interlocking elements fail to provide a mortarless load-bearing connection that cannot be removed in any straight direction, and they often require special mounting tapers, limiting their versatility in constructing self-bearing structures and patterns.
Innovation Solution
The development of an interlocking building block with a three-clawed piece providing planar locking and a hexagonal prism or groove/taper mechanism for spatial locking, allowing for secure connections without mortar and enabling the construction of complex structures like curtain walls, domes, and patterns, while also being suitable for jigsaw puzzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If special mounting tapers are used to prevent elements from slipping, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases and versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent functional parts: a planar locking component (such as a three-clawed piece with grooves) that prevents lateral movement, and a spatial locking component (such as a hexagonal prism or groove/taper mechanism) that prevents removal in straight directions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without requiring complex integrated designs, thereby maintaining stability while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The building blocks are designed with standardized interfaces that can perform multiple locking functions. The same basic block design with planar and spatial locking mechanisms can be used for various applications including walls, floors, domes, and curtain walls, eliminating the need for different specialized components for different structural requirements.
2Strength
If mounting tapers and grooves are implemented on building blocks, then interconnection is improved, but the blocks can still be removed by moving in a specific direction
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from two-dimensional planar grooves to three-dimensional spatial locking. The spatial locking component (hexagonal prism or groove/taper mechanism) adds a vertical dimension to the locking action, creating interference that prevents removal in straight directions. This multi-dimensional approach ensures that forces applied in any straight direction are counteracted by the geometric constraints of the locking mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing interlocking elements are designed with simple geometries, then ease of manufacture is improved, but they cannot provide mortarless load-bearing connections
Solution Approach 1:
The complex locking functionality is segmented into two manageable components: a planar locking piece with grooves that is relatively simple to manufacture, and a spatial locking component (hexagonal prism or groove/taper mechanism) that provides the load-bearing capability. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using standard processes while achieving the overall complex function of mortarless load-bearing connection.
Data Source
Figure 1a~3
Figure 2a~2f
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Interlocking building block, paving unit, tile or toy element, one part of which is a piece offering at least one planar locking mechanism, and the other part of which is an element offering at least one spatial locking mechanism. The element is characterized by the piece providing the planar locking mechanism being a three- clawed piece (21 ) built around an equilateral triangle (1 ) with protruding arms (22) and grooves (23) corresponding to their circumference arranged in a circular segment (23). The protruding claws (22) are rotated on a plane around a center of rotation (30). These align with the grooves (23) of another three-clawed piece (21 ) to offer a bayonet type locking mechanism, where the center point of the circular segment (12) is identical to the center of planar rotation (30). The element providing spatial locking is either comprised of at least one hexagonal prism (20) placed next to the three-clawed piece (21 ) and connected to the corners of the equilateral triangle (1 ), into which the three-clawed piece (21 ) is placed so that the protruding claws (22) extend beyond the hexagonal prism (20) to the same extent that the grooves (23) extend into the base area of the hexagonal prism (20), or the element providing for spatial locking built at the circumference of the three-clawed piece (21 ) consists of protrusions (28) (tapers) ensuring a groove/taper connection and connecting grooves (29), so that each piece contains protrusions (28) (tapers) as well as grooves (29). The invention also includes the procedure of constructing the elements. Characteristic figures: Figures 3,13 and 16.